Master of Professional Accounting
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Swinburne’s Master of Professional Accounting combines a practical, hands-on MPA program with strong industry links and a clear pathway to professional recognition.
You’ll learn to provide crucial, comprehensive and specialist business analysis and compelling financial narratives to inform strategic investment and business decisions.
Swinburne’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation is at the heart of this MPA.
Our industry connections are combined with experiential learning through topical projects, case histories and expert guest speakers.
You’ll graduate with a firm understanding of core knowledge and be job-ready with industry relevant skills in software such as Xero.
The many electives on offer can help set you up for roles in areas such as banking, business consulting, information systems, finance, and manufacturing.
This course is professionally accredited through CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
*CPA Specialisation is not available in 2022 and 2023.
*CPA Specialisation is not available in 2022 and 2023.
Duration
1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
2023 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
27 February 2023
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
2024 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
26 February 2024
Semester 2 -
29 July 2024
Professionally accredited by
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This Master of Professional Accounting offers participants the opportunity to specialise in accounting for professional recognition.
Accounting is the language of business, and skills are relevant to many areas of professional interest: marketing, economic forecasting, finance, engineering and many others. A knowledge of accounting and finance can help individuals and business organisations understand how to use money (resources) to the best advantage. Gaining and maintaining wealth are important elements in a market economy.
The course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. It further develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with accounting and finance issues within planning and decision-making.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Master of Professional Accounting, students must complete 12 units (150 credit points).
- 10 core units (125 credit points)
- 2 elective units (25 credit points)
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Professional Accounting is 50 credit points (normally four units).
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Professional Accounting is 50 credit points (normally four units).
Units of study
Core Units
Students must complete all ten core units listed below:
Elective Units
Students must complete two elective units from the list below. If the unit listed below is a core unit please choose another unit from the list.
# students need to discuss these options with their Course Director prior to enrolling.
* Outcome units- matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
This suite of accounting courses provides an avenue for graduates to achieve professional recognition and help fill the shortage of professionally recognised accountants. As many graduates may already be established in a business career, the key vocational outcomes may arise from better current job performance together with new opportunities opening in the accounting and finance areas.
Aims and objectives
The Master of Professional Accounting course is designed for students who wish to obtain specialised knowledge and research skills in accounting and related areas of business. Students will learn to apply advanced conceptual and practical accounting knowledge to undertake rewarding careers in accounting and related areas of business. This course also provides a pathway for further specialised learning as successful completion of the Master of Professional Accounting may qualify students for associate membership to CPA Australia, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) or provide entry to the Chartered Accountants program of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
- apply coherent and advanced knowledge of accounting and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
- apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team
- demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and a deep awareness of professional practices in a global and sustainable context
- apply accounting and business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate accounting methods and tools, applied in a variety of contexts
- reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes, and manage their own time and processes effectively by regularly reviewing performance as a means of managing continuing professional development and lifelong learning
- apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence.
Professional recognition
Upon successful completion of the Master course, students may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Membership of CPA Australia and CAANZ depends on the student's previous undergraduate degree being assessed and final confirmation of eligibility will be provided by those bodies.
If students have undertaken their undergraduate degree outside of Australia and are wishing to gain professional membership, they will need to have their previous undergraduate degree assessed as comparable to an Australian undergraduate degree by CPA Australia and CAANZ in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR).
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
If you have any inkling at all to study, don’t hesitate and jump right in. My undergraduate degree is in Dance and I was looking for a Masters that could elevate me into business and make me more specifically marketable. Accounting is the root of many things. Even just knowing accounting basics allows you to engage more deeply in business conversations.
Andi
Master of Professional Accounting
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2023 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
- a recognised bachelor degree in a related discipline or
- a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
- a Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting** or
- completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS either previous Higher Education Study in a related discipline OR a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* (International applicants only)
*Relevant managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to Faculty determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed.